Apparatus and method for installing wire behind existing walls

ABSTRACT

A system for pulling wire behind a wall is provided. One embodiment comprises a cylindrical weight defined by an outside diameter and a first length, and a tubular body with a hollow interior defined by an inside diameter that is greater than the outside diameter of the cylindrical weight and a second length that is greater than the first length. A distal end of the tubular body includes a tip configured to penetrate a material that is behind the wall, wherein when oriented in a vertical position behind the wall, and wherein in response to drawing the cylindrical weight upward through the tubular body and then releasing the cylindrical weight, the cylindrical weight travels downward towards the distal end of the tubular body and impacts the tip such that momentum of the downward travelling cylindrical weight is transferred to the tip, thereby driving the tubular body downward through the material.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to copending U.S. ProvisionalApplication, Ser. No. 63/020,385, filed on May 5, 2020, entitledInstallers Wire, String, Raceway and Tubing Puller With HammeringWeight, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Installers often must pull wires, string, raceways and tubing into wallswith minimal deconstruction of the wall to add that wire, string,raceway or tubing. Customers and installers alike prefer that this beaccomplished by creating the smallest hole possible in the wall.Sometimes walls are fire rated and putting too large a hole in the wallto allow for wire, string, raceway and tubing installation wouldcompromise the fire rating. Sometimes walls are soundproof rated andputting too large a hole in the wall to allow for wire, string, racewayand tubing installation would compromise its sound rating. It istypically less expensive to repair a small hole than to repair a largeone. Common types of wire, string, raceway and tubing pullers include“fishing” rods or magnetic devices that are inserted through a hole. Theinvention of this disclosure is dissimilar to both these commonly usedtools.

Known methods for installing wires, strings, raceways and/or tubing withopening walls to do so are not entirely satisfactory for the range ofapplications in which they are employed. For example, existing “fishing”poles that are inserted into a hole in a wall close to the ceiling orfloor are not effective because the fishing poles are too long to beable to be inserted in a hole adjacent or in close proximity to theceiling above the wall being worked on. In addition, conventionalfishing poles are usually too long to carry in tool kits or belts, beingup to over a yard long, as well as the inability for the rods to movethrough the wall in a predictable linear manner. Also unsatisfactory arethe magnetic devices which can scratch walls or not work at all due todouble thick dry wall preventing the magnet from working properly, andthe inability for the magnets to maneuver around some obstructionswithin the wall.

Accordingly, in the arts of puller systems, there is a need in the artsfor improved methods, apparatus, and systems for wire, string, racewayand tubing pullers that improve upon and advance the design of knowndevices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of a puller system provide a system and method for pulling astring or wire behind a wall. One embodiment comprises a cylindricalweight defined by an outside diameter and a first length, and a tubularbody with a hollow interior defined by an inside diameter that isgreater than the outside diameter of the cylindrical weight and a secondlength that is greater than the first length. A distal end of thetubular body includes a tip configured to penetrate a material that isbehind the wall, wherein when oriented in a vertical position behind thewall, and wherein in response to drawing the cylindrical weight upwardthrough the tubular body and then releasing the cylindrical weight, thecylindrical weight travels downward towards the distal end of thetubular body and impacts the tip such that momentum of the downwardtravelling cylindrical weight is transferred to the tip, thereby drivingthe tubular body downward through the material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative toeach other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first example embodiment ofa puller system.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of a wall having batt insulation inside of thewall with a puller system moving downward between the inside of the walland the batt insulation.

FIG. 3 is a cross section of a wall having blown in insulation with apuller system moving downward through the blown insulation.

FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of an example embodiment of a pullersystem with an aperture disposed in the proximal end of the cylindricalweight.

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of an example embodiment of a pullersystem with a slot and pin disposed in the proximal end of thecylindrical weight.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative exampleembodiment of a puller system provisioned with an electric motor and camsystem.

FIG. 7 is an exploded cross sectional side view of an example embodimentof a puller system provisioned with a solenoid system.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a first type of readily available legacysolenoid that may be used with embodiments of the puller system.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a second type of readily available legacysolenoid that may be used with embodiments of the puller system.

FIG. 10 is an exploded cross sectional side view of an exampleembodiment of a puller system provisioned with a vibration system.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a readily available legacy vibrator motor andvibrator weight that may be used with embodiments of the puller system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example first embodiment ofa puller system 100. Embodiments of the puller system 100 is used topull a string or wire behind a wall, and is configured to penetrate aninsulative material that is behind the wall. The insulative material maybe a for thermal insulation, sound insulation, and/or fire insulation.

The disclosed systems and methods for a puller system 100 will becomebetter understood through review of the following detailed descriptionin conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figuresprovide examples of the various inventions described herein. Thoseskilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may bevaried, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of theinventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated fordifferent applications and design considerations, however, for the sakeof brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individuallydescribed in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, a variety of examples forsystems and methods for a puller system 100 are provided. Relatedfeatures in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar indifferent examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will notbe redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of relatedfeature names will cue the reader that the feature with a relatedfeature name may be similar to the related feature in an exampleexplained previously. Features specific to a given example will bedescribed in that particular example. The reader should understand thata given feature need not be the same or similar to the specificportrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated.

“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particulardimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term,such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example,a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles acylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.

“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) areused interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to,and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional, elements ormethod steps not expressly recited.

Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish oridentify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intendedto denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.

“Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whetherdirectly or indirectly through intervening components. “Secured to”means directly connected without intervening components.

“Communicatively coupled” means that an electronic device exchangesinformation with another electronic device, either wirelessly or with awire based connector, whether directly or indirectly through acommunication network 108. “Controllably coupled” means that anelectronic device controls operation of another electronic device.

Returning to FIG. 1, the example embodiment of the puller system 100 isa manually operated system. The manually operated puller system 100comprises a body 102, a weight 104, a cap 106, at least one tip 108, andan optional weight extension member 112.

In the various embodiments, the body 102 defines a hollow tubular shapewith openings at its two ends. The body 102 is defined by an insidediameter and a length (L₁). The distal impact end secures the tip 108and a proximal end secures the cap 106. In an example embodiment, thecap 106 and/or the tip 108 are releasably secured to the ends of thebody 102 using threads. Alternatively, the cap 106 and/or the tip 108may be secured to the body 102 using a frictional fit. Other securingmeans may be used. In some embodiments, the body 102 and the cap 106and/or the tip 108 may be permanently secured to the end of the bodyusing a suitable adhesive, wielding, screws, or the like. In someembodiments, the body 102 and the cap 106 and/or the tip 108 may be madeduring fabrication into a unibody member.

The cylindrical weight 104 is defined by an outside diameter and alength (L₂). The weight 104 slidably moves up and down within the hollowinterior cavity of the body 102. Accordingly, the outside diameter ofthe cylindrical weight 104 is less than the inside diameter of the body102.

A distal end of the weight extension member 112 is secured to a proximalend of the weight 104. In some embodiments, the weight 104 and theweight extension member 112 are separate members releasably secured toeach other using threads. Alternatively, the weight 104 and the weightextension member 112 may be secured together using a frictional fit or acam like fitting. Other securing means may be used. In some embodiments,the weight 104 and the weight extension member 112 may be permanentlysecured to each other using a suitable adhesive, wielding, screws, orthe like. In some embodiments, the weight 104 and the weight extensionmember 112 may be made during fabrication into a unibody member.

The weight 104 itself has a distal impact end. The weight 104 iscylindrical and is relatively heavy. In the various embodiments, theweight 104 is made from a dense material such as tungsten, cobalt,molybdenum, brass, aluminum, steel, iron or even lead, and is configuredto slidably move within the hollow of the body 102 from one end of thebody 102 to the other of the body 102 along a travel distance [definedby the difference between the length (L₁) of the body 102 and the length(L₂) of the cylindrical weight 104].

A string or wire 110 is attached to the proximal attachment end of theweight extension member 112. Accordingly, to accommodate the string orwire 110, the proximal end of the weight extension member 112 is definedby an attachment means 114, such as a hole, that is at least sized topermit the string or wire 110 to be threaded therethrough. The cap 106is defined by an opening through which the string or wire 110 attachedto the weight extension member 112. In a preferred embodiment, the holein the cap 106 has an inside diameter that is greater than an outsidediameter of the narrow portion of the weight extension member 112, butless than the outside diameter of the cylindrical weight 104. The stringor wire 110 may be pulled to draw the weight 104 and the weightextension member 112 upward, but the cap 106 opening's size prevents theweight 104 from being pulled out of the body 102.

In an alternative embodiment, the weight extension member 112 isomitted. Here, the string or wire 110 is secured to the distal end ofthe cylindrical weight 104. However, an unexpected advantage provided bythe weight extension member 112 is to eliminate frictional wear on thestring or wire 110 that might otherwise result in failure of the stringor wire 110. That is, if the string or wire 110 breaks during use, theuser may have to cut into the wall to retrieve the puller system 100.

In practice, a hole is cut into the wall. The wall hole is preferablyjust large enough to receive the puller system 100. A user inserts thepuller system 100 through the upper wall hole and orients the pullersystem 100 in a downward directed vertical, or substantially vertical,orientation such that its length (L₁) is substantially perpendicular tothe ground, and such that the tip 108 is directed towards the ground.

Once the puller system 100 in position behind the wall, with the examplemanual embodiment, the user pulls the proximal end of the string or wire110 to draw the cylindrical weight 104 upward through the body 102. Thetravel distance of the cylindrical weight 104 is equal to the differencebetween the length (L₁) of the body 102 and the length (L₂) of thecylindrical weight 104. The word “string” is used herein generically tomean string, cable, rope or wire, as needs dictate.

When the weight 104 has been drawn upward to or near its furthest extentwithin the body 102 by the user, the user releases the string or wire110. Gravity accelerates and pulls the cylindrical weight 104 downwardtoward the impact end of the body 102 and the tip 108. As thecylindrical weight 104 travels downward towards the distal end of thetubular body 102, the cylindrical weight 104 gains momentum. The distalend of the released downward travelling cylindrical weight 104 impactsthe tip 108 at the distal end of the tubular body 102 such that momentumof the downward travelling cylindrical weight 104 is transferred to thetip 108 as a downward directed force. The downward directed hammeringforce causes the surrounding insulation material to give way and allowthe puller system 100 to hammer its way through or around thatinsulation material, or to hammer its way between the insulationmaterial and the wall.

When the user repeatedly pulls and releases the string or wire 110, theattached cylindrical weight 104 is repeatedly pulled upward and thendropped to the bottom of the body 102. The cylindrical weight 104repeatedly hammers into the tip 108. Accordingly, the puller system 100hammers its way in a linear path downward through the insulation, orbetween the wall and the insulation, towards the ground. When the pullersystem 100 has travelled downward through the insulation or behind theinsulation to a desired distance, the user will have access to the tip108 through a second lower wall hole that has been cut into the wall. Atthe end of the installation process, the relatively small lower wallhole is substantially easier to patch or repair than a wall holerequired of legacy pullers.

Various types of tips 108 may be used by the various embodimentsdepending upon the nature of the particular task at hand. Preferably,the tip 108 is typically made from a hard material such as tungsten,cobalt, molybdenum, brass, iron or even lead so that it is sufficientlystrong to resist being deformed by the repeated impact of thecylindrical weight 104, or repeated external impacts. However, thesematerials are not the only types of material from which the tip 108 maybe constructed. Any suitable material having a hardness that is greaterthan a hardness and/or resistance of the insulation material may beused.

A penetration tip 108 a may be used to penetrate the insulationmaterial. The penetration tip 108 a has a conical distal end thatterminates in a sharp point to facilitate penetration of the pullersystem 100 through the insulation material.

An insulation displacement tip 108 b may have a rounded distal end thatis configured to displace the insulation material as the puller system100 moves in the downward direction. Displacing the insulation materialby pushing the material out of the way of the puller system 100 maycause relatively less damage to the insulation material, such as whenthe puller system 100 travels between the inside of the wall and theoutside of the insulation material.

The tip 108 includes an attachment means 116 that is configured toreceive a string or pull wire (not shown). The user, having access tothe tip 108 through the lower wall hole, secures the string or pull wireto the tip 108. In one example, an aperture (hole) 116 a is disposed inthe tip 108. In another embodiment, a slot and pin 116 b may be disposedin the distal end of the tip 108, wherein a clip, hook or the likesecured to the end of the string or pull wire may be attached to the pin116 b.

A threaded receiver tip 108 c may be used to prove a threaded-basedattachment means that is configured to receive a threaded pin 118 thatis screwed into the threaded hole 116 c of the threaded receiver tip 108c. The non-limiting example threaded pin is secured to a wire puller 120which may be used to retrieve the puller system 100. In this exampleembodiment, the wire puller 120 is made of a mesh of flexible strongwire that can be secured to the threaded receiver tip 108 c once thepuller system 100 has reached the lower wall hole. The flexibility ofthe wire puller 120 enables the user to orient the threaded pin 118 whenthreading it to the threaded hole 116 c. In some embodiments, a barrelswivel or the like may be used to facilitate rotation of the threadedpin 118 when being screwed into the threaded hole 116 c.

When the user pulls on the string or wire 110 to retrieve the pullersystem 100 upwards and back to the upper wall hole, the string or pullwire secured to the tip 108 is drawn upward along with the puller system100 (wherein a proximal portion of the string or pull wire alwaysremains outside of the lower wall hole). When the user retrieves thepuller system 100 from the wall, the user may then detach the string orpull wire from the tip 108. The string or pull wire can then be used topull a wire, rope, raceway, tube or the like downward (or upward)through the upper and lower wall holes.

In the various embodiments, the body 102, tip 108, and/or the string orwire 110 may be painted or colored with a highly visible color,including bright colors that contrast the with the wall and theinsulation material, such as, but not limited to, bright orange and/orbright green. In some embodiments, the distal end of the body 102 and/orthe tip 108 may be illuminated. The visible color and/or illuminationwill assist the user in discerning the location of the tip 108 of thepuller system 100 through the lower hole.

One or more optional anti-friction spacers 122 may be used to prevent orreduce friction resistance between the body 102 and the cylindricalweight 104. Further, the anti-friction spacers 122 keep the cylindricalweight 104 centered within the interior of the body 102.

The anti-friction spacers 122 may be cylindrical and fit around theoutside of the cylindrical weight 104. In such embodiments, a differencebetween the outside diameter of the cylindrical weight 104 and theinside diameter of the body 102 is equal to, or slightly large than,twice the thickness of the anti-friction spacers 122. The anti-frictionspacers 122 may also help guide the cylindrical weight 104 as it movesup and down within the body 102.

In an alternative embodiment, the anti-friction spacers 122 are securedto the interior surface of the body 102. In other embodiments, strips ofanti-friction spacers 122 may be secured along the length of the body102 and/or the cylindrical weight 104.

In some embodiments, the anti-friction spacers 122 are frictionallyretained in their position. Alternatively, or additionally, an adhesivemay be used to retain the anti-friction spacers 122 in their position.Alternatively, or additionally, a fastener such as a bolt, clip, screw,or the like may be used to retain the anti-friction spacers 122.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of a wall having batt insulation 202 inside ofthe wall 204 with a puller system 100 moving downward between the insideof the wall 204 and the batt insulation 202. In this example use, thepuller system 100 is displacing the batt insulation 202 so as to traveldownward between the wall 204 and the batt insulation 202. In thisexample use, the insulation displacement tip 108 b with a rounded distalend that is configured to displace the insulation material might beused.

The puller system 100 is inserted between the inside surface of the wall204 and the batt insulation 202 via the upper wall hole 206. When tip108 of the puller system 100 travels downward to at least the lower hole208, the user can then access the puller system 100 via the lower hole208.

FIG. 3 is a cross section of a wall having blown-in insulation 302 witha puller system 100 moving downward through the blown-in insulation 302.Here, the puller system 100 is penetrating the blown-in insulation 302so as to travel downward through the blown-in insulation 302. In thisexample use, the penetration tip 108 a with a sharp distal end that isconfigured to penetrate the insulation material might be used

In this non-limiting illustrative example, the puller system 100 isconceptually illustrated as being inserted through a hole disposed in,or gap 304 between, the wall joists, top plate, upper wall plate, or thelike, and then down into the batt insulation 202. When tip 108 of thepuller system 100 travels downward to at least the lower hole 208, theuser can then access the puller system 100 via the lower hole 208.

FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of an example embodiment of a pullersystem with an aperture 402 disposed in the proximal end of thecylindrical weight 104. The aperture 402 permits the user to secure thedistal end of the string or wire 110 to the proximal end of the weightextension member 112.

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of an alternative example embodiment ofa puller system with a slot 502 disposed in the proximal end of thecylindrical weight 104. A pin 504 is inserted through holes 506 disposedin the slot member portion of the cylindrical weight 104 (or a weightextension member 112 if present) having the slot 504. The user inserts aloop at the distal end of the string or wire 110 into the slot 502. Theuser then inserts the pin 504 through the holes 506 disposed in the slotmember portion and the loop of the string or wire 110, thereby securingthe distal end of the string or wire 110 to the proximal end of theweight extension member 112.

Also illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is an aperture (hole) disposed in thelower portion of the distal end of the body 102. As the cylindricalweight 104 travels downward, air pressure would otherwise build up inthe lower end of the body 102 and slow the downward motion of the weightextension member 112. The aperture 404 permits the release of the air inthe lower portion of the body 102, thereby releasing any built up airpressure. When the user pulls the string or wire 110 to move thecylindrical weight 104 upward within the body 102, air is allowed toenter through the hole 404 so that a suction force (negative airpressure) does not impede the drawing of the cylindrical weight 104 inan upward direction. A similar aperture may be disposed in the upperportion of the body 102 to allow air to freely escape and/or enter intothe upper cavity of the body 102 as the cylindrical weight 104 is drawnupward and/or moves downward. Alternatively, or additionally, channels,slots or the like may be disposed in the outer surface of the weight 104and/or in the inner surface of the body 102 to permit the flow of air(FIG. 4).

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative exampleembodiment of a puller system 100 provisioned with an electric motor 602and cam system 604. The cam system 604 comprises a first cam member 606and a second cam member 608.

For convenience, the first cam member 606 is illustrated as having itsdistal end secured to the proximal end of the tip 116 b. The first cammember 606 may be secured to the tip 116 b using any suitable means,such as an adhesive, threads, screws, clips or the like. Alternatively,the tip 116 b and the first cam member 606 may be fabricated as aunibody member during fabrication. In other embodiments, the distal endof the first cam member 606 may rest on top of the tip 116 b.

Alternatively, the outside surface of the second cam member 608 may besecured to the inside surface of the body 102 proximate to the distalend of the body 102. The first cam member 606 may be secured to the body102 using any suitable means, such as an adhesive, threads, screws,clips or the like. Alternatively, the first cam member 606 and the body102 may be fabricated as a unibody member during fabrication.Alternatively, an optional stop ring 610 may be secured to the inside ofthe body 102 proximate to the distal end of the body 102, wherein thedistal end of the first cam member 606 rests upon and/or is secured tothe proximal end of the optional stop ring 610.

The electric motor 602 is controllably coupled to a controller 612 via apower cord or control cord 614. Preferably, the cord 614 has sufficienttensile strength to allow retrieval of the puller system 100.Alternatively, a string or wire 110 may be secured to the proximal endof the puller system 100 to facilitate retrieval of the puller system100.

In an example embodiment, the controller 612 includes a power plugadaptor 616 that is configured to couple to a legacy power cord (notshown) and/or to a wall power outlet. Power to drive the electric motor602 (using power received at the power plug adaptor 616) is provided viathe cord 614. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller 612 mayinclude an internal power source, such as a battery or the like (notshown) that provides power to the electric motor 602.

A plurality of actuators 618 are disposed on the surface of thecontroller 612. The actuators allow the user to power on/turn off theelectric motor 602. Additionally, the controllers 618 may be used tocontrol the speed of rotation of the shaft 602 a of the electric motor602.

A shaft 602 a of the electric motor 602 is secured to the proximal endof the second cam member 608. The shaft 602 a may be secured to thesecond cam member 608 using any suitable means, such as an adhesive,threads, screws, clips or the like. Alternatively, the shaft 602 a andthe second cam member 608 may be fabricated as a unibody member duringfabrication.

In the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 6, the distal end of thecylindrical weight 104 rests upon or is secured to the proximal end ofthe electric motor 602. The cylindrical weight 104 may be secured to theelectric motor 602 using any suitable means, such as an adhesive,threads, screws, clips or the like. Alternatively, the cylindricalweight 104 and the electric motor 602 may be fabricated as a unibodymember during fabrication

The first cam member 606 is defined at its distal end by a first camsurface 606 a. The second cam member 608 is defined at is proximal endby a second cam surface 608 a. As the shaft 602 a of the electric motor602 is rotated, the first cam surface 606 a and the second cam surface608 a slidably engage each other to raise the cylindrical weight 104. Asthe shaft 602 a of the electric motor 602 completes a revolution, thefirst cam surface 606 a and the second cam surface 608 a disengage torelease the cylindrical weight 104, which then falls downward to impactthe tip 116 b (or an intervening structure which transfers the force tothe tip 116 b).

Repeated revolutions of the shaft 602 a of the electric motor 602 createa repeated downward impact force on the tip 108. Accordingly, the pullersystem 100 travels in a downward direction. The speed of rotation of theshaft 602 a of the electric motor 602 may be predefined, or may beadjustable by the user by actuation one or the actuators 618 on thecontroller 612.

The illustrated arrangement of the components illustrated in FIG. 6 isexemplary only and is not intended to be limiting. The illustratedcomponent may be arranged in a different order in an example embodiment.For example, the electric motor 602 may be located above the cylindricalweight 104, wherein the shaft 602 a of the electric motor 602 extendsthrough an aperture (hone) extending through the cylindrical weight 104.In an alternative embodiment, the cylindrical weight 104 may itself befabricated as an electric motor. Any such variations are intended to bewithin the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by the followingclaims.

FIG. 7 is an exploded cross sectional side view of an example embodimentof a puller system 100 provisioned with a solenoid system 702. Thesolenoid system 702 comprises a solenoid housing 704 and a push rod 706(illustrated in a retracted position).

The distal end of the example push rod 706 is coupled to the tip 116 busing a coupling fork as is known in the arts. The proximal end of thesolenoid housing 704 is in contact with, or is secured to, the distalend of the cylindrical weight 104. The cord 614 extends through anaperture in the cylindrical weight 104 to provide power to actuate thesolenoid system 702. As is known in the art, an electric motor/machine(not shown) resides in the interior of the solenoid housing 704 that isoperable to push the push rod 706 outward to an extended position and topull the push rod 706 inward to a retracted position in an alternatingmanner.

In the non-limiting example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, when thesolenoid system 702 is actuated by the controller 612, the push rod 706is pushed outward to its extended position, thereby raising thecylindrical weight 104. When the solenoid system 702 is next actuated,the solenoid system 702 rapidly retracts the push rod 706, therebymoving the cylindrical weight 104 in a downward direction. The momentumof the downward moving cylindrical weight 104 is transferred as a forceto the tip 116 b when the push rod 706 becomes fully retracted.

Repeated actuations of the solenoid system 702 create a repeateddownward impact force on the tip 108. Accordingly, the puller system 100travels in a downward direction.

The solenoid system 702 is powered and/or is controlled by thecontroller 612 via the cord 614, and is not described herein forbrevity. In some embodiments, the controller 612 may be controlled bythe user to control the rate of extension/retraction of the push rod706. Additionally, or alternatively, the travel distance of the push rod706 may be controlled by the controller 612.

The illustrated arrangement of the components illustrated in FIG. 7 isexemplary only and is not intended to be limiting. The illustratedcomponent may be arranged in a different order in an example embodiment.For example, the solenoid system 702 may be located above thecylindrical weight 104, wherein the push rod 706 is secured to theproximal end of the cylindrical weight 104. Here, the solenoid housing704 would be secured to the inside surface of the body 102 and/or to thecap 106. In an alternative embodiment, the cylindrical weight 104 mayitself be fabricated as a component of the solenoid system 702. Any suchvariations are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure and tobe protected by the following claims.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a first type of readily available legacysolenoid 702 that may be used with embodiments of the puller system 100.FIG. 9 is a side view of a second type of readily available legacysolenoid 702 that may be used with embodiments of the puller system 100.

FIG. 10 is an exploded cross sectional side view of an exampleembodiment of a puller system 100 provisioned with a vibration system1002. The vibration system 1002 comprises an electric vibrator motor1004 and a vibrator weight 1006 secured to the shaft 1008 of thevibrator motor 1004. FIG. 11 is a side view of a readily availablelegacy vibrator motor 1004 and vibrator weight 1006 that may be usedwith embodiments of the puller system 100.

The vibrator weight 1006 is configured to have a center of gravity thatis off center from the shaft 1008 of the vibrator motor 1004. As thevibrator motor 1004 rotates the shaft 1008, the vibrator weight 1006 isrotated in a manner wherein the off center point of gravity of thevibrator weight 1006 induces a wobbling motion to the shaft and vibratormotor 1004. When the vibrator motor 1004 is secured to the body 102, avibration movement is imparted to the tip 116 b. This vibration movementfacilitates the downward movement of the puller system 100.

The vibrator motor 1004 may be secured to the body 102 using anysuitable means, such as an adhesive, threads, screws, clips or the like.Alternatively, the vibrator motor 1004 and the body 102 may befabricated as a unibody member during fabrication.

In an alternative embodiment, the vibrator motor 1004 may be secured tothe cylindrical weight 104. However, this embodiment is not as effectiveof inducing the vibration movement into the tip 116 b. In anotheralternative embodiment, the vibrator motor 1004 is secured to theproximal end of the tip 116 b (wherein the orientation of the vibrationsystem 1002 is reversed respective to FIG. 10).

In some embodiments, the vibration system 1002 may be provisioned in amanual embodiment of the puller system 100 (as illustrated in FIG. 1).Here, the manual raising and dropping of the cylindrical weight 104, inconjunction with the vibration movement imparted to the tip 108 by thevibration system 1002, cooperatively urge the puller system 100 in thedownward direction.

In some embodiments, the vibration system 1002 may be provisioned in anembodiment of the puller system 100 that employs the solenoid system 702(as illustrated in FIG. 7). Here, the automatic raising and dropping ofthe cylindrical weight 104 by the solenoid system 702, in conjunctionwith the vibration movement imparted to the tip 108 by the vibrationsystem 1002, cooperatively urge the puller system 100 in the downwarddirection.

In the various embodiments, the body 102 and the cylindrical weight 104were described as being cylindrical. In alternative embodiments, thehollow cavity of the interior of the body 102 and the cylindrical weight104 may have other cross sectional shapes, such as, but not limited to,squares, rectangles, ovals, or the like. Here, the cross sectional shapeof the weight 104 and the corresponding cross sectional shape of theinterior of the body 102 are the same. A distance associated with theweight 104 (such as a circumference, a length, and/or a width) is lessthat the corresponding distance of the hollow cavity in the interior ofthe body 102.

Further, in some embodiments, the cross sectional shape of the interiorof the body 102 may be different than a cross sectional shape of theexterior of the body 102. For example, but not limited to, the interiorof the cavity of the body 102 and the weight 104 may be square, and theexterior cross section of the body may be circular.

In some manual embodiments, the user may pull on the proximal end of thestring or wire 110 that is attached to the proximal attachment end ofthe weight extension member 112 using a brake-like system similar tobrakes used on a bicycle. The user squeezes on the lever, which thenretracts the string or wire 110 to draw the weight extension member 112(or the cylindrical weight 104) upward.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepuller system 100 are merely possible examples of implementations of theinvention. Many variations and modifications may be made to theabove-described embodiments. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure andprotected by the following claims.

Furthermore, the disclosure above encompasses multiple distinctinventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions hasbeen disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosedand illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense asnumerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventionsincludes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations ofthe various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosedabove and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to suchinventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a”element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosureor claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements,neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed tocombinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that arebelieved to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in othercombinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/orproperties may be claimed through amendment of those claims orpresentation of new claims in the present application or in a relatedapplication. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed tothe same invention or a different invention and whether they aredifferent, broader, narrower, or equal in scope to the original claims,are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventionsdescribed herein.

Therefore, having thus described the invention, at least the followingis claimed:
 1. A puller system that pulls one of a string or wire behinda wall, comprising: a weight; wherein the weight is cylindrical, whereinthe cylindrical weight is defined by an outside diameter, and whereinthe cylindrical weight is defined by a first length; and a body, whereinthe body is tubular with a hollow interior, wherein the hollow interiorof the tubular body is defined by an inside diameter that is greaterthan the outside diameter of the cylindrical weight; wherein a distalend of the tubular body includes a tip that is configured to penetrate amaterial that is behind the wall, wherein the tubular body is defined bya second length that is greater than the first length of the cylindricalweight, and wherein a proximal end of the tubular body is configured toslidably receive the cylindrical weight, wherein the tubular body isoriented in a substantially vertical position behind the wall, thematerial resists downward movement of the puller system, wherein inresponse to drawing the cylindrical weight upward through the tubularbody and then releasing the cylindrical weight, the cylindrical weighttravels downward towards the distal end of the tubular body, and whereina distal end of the released downward travelling cylindrical weightimpacts the tip at the distal end of the tubular body such that momentumof the downward travelling cylindrical weight is transferred to the tipthereby driving the tubular body downward through the material behindthe wall.
 2. The puller system of claim 1, further comprising: a cap,wherein the cap is secured to the proximal end of the tubular body, andwherein a through hole extends through a center of the cap, and whereinthe through hole is defined by an inside diameter; and a weightextension member, wherein a distal end of the weight extension member issecured to a proximal end of the cylindrical weight, wherein an outsidediameter of the through hole of the cap is less than the inside diameterof the cap, and wherein a proximal end of the weight extension memberextends through the through hole of the cap, wherein when thecylindrical weight is drawn upward through the tubular body, the weightextension member is drawn upward through the through hole of the cap. 3.The puller system of claim 2, wherein the inside diameter of the throughhole of the cap is less that the outside diameter of the cylindricalweight, wherein the distal end of the cap stops the upward movement ofthe cylindrical weight when the cylindrical weight is drawn upwardthrough the tubular body.
 4. The puller system of claim 2, wherein theproximal end of the weight extension member includes an aperture,wherein a distal end of the string or wire is secured to the proximalend of the weight extension member at the aperture, wherein a user pullsa proximal end of the string or wire to draw the cylindrical weightupward through the tubular body, and wherein the user releases theproximal end of the string or wire to release the cylindrical weight. 5.The puller system of claim 2, wherein the proximal end of the weightextension member includes a slot, wherein apertures are disposed throughthe weight extension member at the slot, the puller system furthercomprising: a pin, wherein the pin is extended through the apertures andthe slot of the weight extension member, wherein a distal end of thestring or wire is secured to the pin at the slot, wherein a user pulls aproximal end of the string or wire to draw the cylindrical weight upwardthrough the tubular body, and wherein the user releases the proximal endof the string or wire to release the cylindrical weight.
 6. The pullersystem of claim 1, wherein when the cylindrical weight is released,gravity pulls the cylindrical weight downward towards the distal end ofthe tubular body.
 7. The puller system of claim 1, further comprising:at least one anti-friction spacer secured to the outside of thecylindrical weight, wherein the at least one anti-friction spacerfacilitates the upward and downward movement of the cylindrical weightwithin the tubular body by preventing friction between the cylindricalweight and the tubular body.
 8. The puller system of claim 1, furthercomprising: the tip, wherein the tip is removably secured to the distalend of the tubular body.
 9. The puller system of claim 8, wherein thetip includes a tip aperture, wherein at the conclusion of thepenetration of the puller system though the material, a user attaches adistal end of a pulling wire to the tip at the tip aperture, wherein theuser draws the puller system upward through the penetrated material toretrieve the puller system and the pulling wire, and wherein after theuser detaches the distal end of the pulling wire from the tip aperture,the user has access to both the distal end of the pulling wire and aproximal end of the pulling wire.
 10. The puller system of claim 8,wherein the tip is a first tip that is pointed and that is configured topenetrate a first type of the material, and further comprising: a secondtip, wherein a distal end of the second tip is rounded and is configuredto displace a second type of the material; and a third tip, wherein adistal end of the third tip is defined by a threaded hole that isconfigured to receive a threaded pin of a wire puller.
 11. The pullersystem of claim 1, wherein at least one first aperture extends throughthe tubular body proximate to the distal end of the tubular body,wherein at least one second aperture extends through the tubular bodyproximate to the proximal end of the tubular body, wherein air pressureis released through the at least one first aperture as the cylindricalweight travels downward after release, and wherein the air pressure isreleased through the at least one second aperture as the cylindricalweight is drawn upward through the tubular body.
 12. The puller systemof claim 1, wherein at least one first aperture extends through the tip,wherein at least one second aperture extends through the tubular bodyproximate to the proximal end of the tubular body, wherein air pressureis released through the at least one first aperture as the cylindricalweight travels downward after release, and wherein the air pressure isreleased through the at least one second aperture as the cylindricalweight is drawn upward through the tubular body.
 13. The puller systemof claim 1, further comprising: an electric motor residing within thetubular body, a cam secured to the electric motor and the cylindricalweight, wherein rotation of the cam by the electric motor draws thecylindrical weight upward through the tubular body, and wherein afterthe cam draws the cylindrical weight upward, the cylindrical weight isreleased.
 14. The puller system of claim 1, further comprising: avibrational motor secured to the tubular body near the distal end of thetubular body, wherein the vibrational motor imparts a vibration of thetip to facilitate the downward movement of the puller system through thematerial.
 15. The puller system of claim 1, further comprising: acylindrical solenoid with a push rod, wherein the cylindrical solenoidis secured to the tubular body, wherein the push rod is secured to thecylindrical weight, wherein in response to a first actuation of thecylindrical solenoid, the push rod draws the cylindrical weight upwardthrough the tubular body, and wherein in response to a second actuationof the cylindrical solenoid, the push rod drives the cylindrical weightdownwardly to transfer the momentum of the downward travellingcylindrical weight to the tip thereby driving the tubular body downwardthrough the material behind the wall.
 16. The puller system of claim 15,wherein the cylindrical solenoid further includes a spring, and whereinin response to the second actuation of the cylindrical solenoid, thespring propels the push rod to drive the cylindrical weight downwardly.17. A puller system that pulls one of a string or wire behind a wall,comprising: a weight; wherein the weight has a cross sectional shape,wherein an outside surface of the weight is defined by a distance, andwherein the cylindrical weight is defined by a first length; and a body,wherein a hollow cavity in an interior of the body has a cross sectionalshape corresponding to the cross sectional shape of the weight, whereina surface of the hollow cavity in the interior of the body is defined bya second distance that is greater than the first distance of the weight;wherein a distal end of the body includes a tip that is configured topenetrate a material that is behind the wall, wherein the body isdefined by a second length that is greater than the first length of theweight, and wherein a proximal end of the body is configured to slidablyreceive the weight, wherein the body is oriented in a substantiallyvertical position behind the wall, the material resists downwardmovement of the puller system, wherein in response to drawing the weightupward through the body and then releasing the weight, the weighttravels downward towards the distal end of the body, and wherein adistal end of the released downward travelling weight impacts the tip atthe distal end of the body such that momentum of the downward travellingweight is transferred to the tip thereby driving the body downwardthrough the material behind the wall.